Wright-Patterson Air Force BaseNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Wright-Patterson Air Force BaseTue, 16 Aug 2016 06:28:52 +0000Wright-Patterson Air Force Basehttp://wyso.org
Associated PressA man accused of causing two buildings to be evacuated at Ohio's largest military base after driving through a security gate is set for trial this fall. Records show 32-year-old Edward Novak's U.S. District Court trial has been scheduled for Oct. 19 in Dayton. Authorities say the unarmed Beavercreek man entered a secure building at Wright-Patterson Air Force base Nov. 24 after driving past sentries. Novak has pleaded not guilty to charges that include trespassing, assault, inducing panic and making false alarms. He also has pleaded not guilty to operating a vehicle under the influence, failure to comply with a lawful order, fleeing and eluding a police officer and disorderly conduct. Base officials say the intrusion and building evacuations hindered operations at Wright-Patterson for several hours Suspect In Wright-Patt Security Breach Set For Trialhttp://wyso.org/post/suspect-wright-patt-security-breach-set-trial
84906 as http://wyso.orgFri, 12 Aug 2016 12:49:17 +0000Suspect In Wright-Patt Security Breach Set For TrialThe Associated PressA new commander is taking over the 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in southwest Ohio. Col. Bradley McDonald will replace Col. John Devillier (duh-VIL'-yay) as commander of the 88th Air Base Wing in a ceremony Tuesday at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force near Dayton. McDonald previously was vice commander of the 10th Air Base Wing at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. Devillier has served as 88th Air Base Wing commander since July 2014. He will become special assistant to the director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for general officer matters at the Pentagon. The 88th Air Base Wing employs more than 5,000 military, civilian and contractor employees and is the largest employer at the base, which has more than 27,000 employees. Wright-Patterson To Get New Commanderhttp://wyso.org/post/wright-patterson-get-new-commander
82676 as http://wyso.orgMon, 20 Jun 2016 15:02:43 +0000Wright-Patterson To Get New CommanderAssociated PressThe National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in southwest Ohio wants to add a current Air Force One to its collection. The Dayton Daily News reports a new $40.8 million hangar at the museum near Dayton opens on Wednesday and officials say they've designed the 224,000-square-foot building with the idea of landing the presidential aircraft. Museum historian Jeff Underwood says the facility has a "pretty good shot" at landing one of the two current VC-25s. That's the name designated for the planes. Officials at the museum have been making sure the secretary of the Air Force understands how important it is to add one of the planes to its collection of presidential aircraft. The final decision won't be made until the planes are retired within a decade. Air Force Museum Wants Current Air Force One For Collectionhttp://wyso.org/post/air-force-museum-wants-current-air-force-one-collection
82097 as http://wyso.orgMon, 06 Jun 2016 16:37:18 +0000Air Force Museum Wants Current Air Force One For CollectionAssociated PressThe last remaining flying unit at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base has a new commander. The Dayton Daily News reports Col. Adam Willis took over the 445th Airlift Wing for Col. Jeffrey McGalliard during a ceremony on Sunday. McGalliard is retiring after a 30-year Air Force career to fly as a commercial airline pilot. He took over the unit in November 2013. Willis has served as the commander of the Air Force Reserve's 908th Airlift Wing at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. Authorities say the flying unit, which performs cargo and medical support missions, flew more than 1,400 sorties last year. The unit flies nine cargo planes and has nearly 2,000 reservists. Wright-Patt Flying Unit Gets New Commanderhttp://wyso.org/post/wright-patt-flying-unit-gets-new-commander
81321 as http://wyso.orgMon, 16 May 2016 13:27:46 +0000Wright-Patt Flying Unit Gets New CommanderAssociated PressWright-Patterson Air Force Base in southwest Ohio is getting a new commander this summer. The Dayton Daily News reports that 43-year-old Col. Bradley McDonald will replace Col. John Devillier as the commander of the 88th Air Base Wing in June. McDonald is currently the vice commander of an air wing that supports the U.S. Air Force Academy. He oversaw 3,000 military and civilian employees and a $150 million budget at the 10th Air Base Wing at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. Devillier will become the special assistant to the director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for general officer matters when he leaves Wright-Patterson and heads to the Pentagon. The 88th Air Base Wing has more than 5,000 military, civilian and contractor employees. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Names New Commanderhttp://wyso.org/post/wright-patterson-air-force-base-names-new-commander
79755 as http://wyso.orgFri, 08 Apr 2016 12:49:11 +0000Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Names New CommanderAssociated PressTighter security measures are expected at a southwest Ohio military base as it conducts training exercises to test base responses to emergency situations. The Dayton Daily News reports that the exercises at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton were starting Monday and will continue through the week. Officials warned that temporary closings of entrance and exit gates and blocked roadways could cause traffic congestion. Spokesman Brian Brackens says the exercises feature simulations and responses to situations that might include medical emergencies and an active shooter scenario. People living near the base should expect to see and hear more emergency response vehicles during the exercises. The 8,100-acre base is the largest military installation in the state and has more than 27,000 employees. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Holding Emergency Response Exercises http://wyso.org/post/wright-patterson-air-force-base-holding-emergency-response-exercises
76994 as http://wyso.orgTue, 02 Feb 2016 16:17:54 +0000Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Holding Emergency Response Exercises Jerry KenneyThe Miami Valley's Military Veterans Resource Center (MVRC) is hosting its third annual job fair for active duty service members, veterans and their family members on Thursday. More than 50 military-friendly employers are taking part in the event, according to Abby Reynolds with the MVRC. “All of our employers value the extensive training that they have and they also really like the fact that veterans know how to be leaders, work well in a group with others and they can adapt on their feet really quickly,” she said. Reynolds says the unemployment rate for military veterans has gotten better. Numbers aren’t out yet for 2015 but in 2014 it was just 3.1 percent for Ohio veterans, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Lower unemployment for vets could be the result of programs like the Veterans Business Support Center launched in July of 2014—the OhioMeansJobs program makes it easier for employers to connect with veterans. The career fair runs Thursday from 10 a.m.Career Fair For Military, Veterans, Familly Members Returns To Wright-Patthttp://wyso.org/post/career-fair-military-veterans-familly-members-returns-wright-patt
76208 as http://wyso.orgThu, 14 Jan 2016 12:26:11 +0000Career Fair For Military, Veterans, Familly Members Returns To Wright-PattAssociated PressCINCINNATI (AP) — Federal authorities have filed charges against a man they say ignored guards' instructions to stop at a Wright-Patterson Air Force Base security gate, prompting evacuations at Ohio's largest military base. Officials at the facility near Dayton say charges were filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court against 32-year-old Edward Novak, of Beavercreek. Authorities say Novak on Nov. 24 also entered a secure building without authorization before he was stopped. They say he didn't have a weapon. Charges include trespassing, assault, inducing panic and making false alarms. The other counts are operating a vehicle under the influence, failure to comply with a lawful order, fleeing and eluding a police officer and disorderly conduct. Court records don't list an attorney for Novak. Calls to his home Wednesday were met with a busy signal. Beavercreek Resident Charged In Wright-Patt Security Breachhttp://wyso.org/post/beavercreek-resident-charged-wright-patt-security-breach
75199 as http://wyso.orgThu, 17 Dec 2015 13:12:56 +0000Beavercreek Resident Charged In Wright-Patt Security BreachAssociated PressOfficials at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base say a man ignored guards' instructions to stop at a security gate, prompting evacuations, but that Ohio's largest military base has been determined safe. Daryl Mayer, spokesman for the base near Dayton, says the man drove through the gate area around 9:40 a.m. Tuesday. A base statement says security personnel pursued the driver and located the vehicle parked outside a building. They then cordoned off the area around the vehicle and evacuated some nearby buildings. The statement says the man was detained for failing to heed instructions from guards. Mayer says no other information was immediately available. Man Detained After Driving Through Wright-Patt Gatehttp://wyso.org/post/man-detained-after-driving-through-wright-patt-gate
74253 as http://wyso.orgTue, 24 Nov 2015 22:13:12 +0000Man Detained After Driving Through Wright-Patt GateAssociated PressWright-Patterson Air Force Base is partnering with a jobs agency to hold a job fair featuring more than 100 Ohio employers. Wright-Patt and Ohio Means Jobs Montgomery County will hold the fair Wednesday at the University of Dayton arena in southwest Ohio. A Wright-Patterson statement says the public fair will feature employers from around the Miami Valley region who are hiring for full and part-time positions. Opportunities are available for a variety of education and experience levels. The base says the fair gives it an employment resource for incoming military and civilian members and families and provides the jobs agency with a bigger candidate pool for area employers. Wright-Patterson and Ohio Means Jobs began the partnership last year with spring and fall fairs. Wright-Patt And County Jobs Agency To Hold Job Fairhttp://wyso.org/post/wright-patt-and-county-jobs-agency-hold-job-fair
71120 as http://wyso.orgMon, 14 Sep 2015 22:25:57 +0000Wright-Patt And County Jobs Agency To Hold Job FairLewis WallaceThe U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says it will make an announcement next week about treatment for Air Force reservists who may have been exposed to Agent Orange after Vietnam. Ohio U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown has joined the chorus of voices asking for a policy change. As many as 2,100 people who worked on C-123 cargo planes in the Air Force reserves could have been exposed to Agent Orange residues in the 1970s, after those planes had been used in Vietnam to spray the toxic defoliant. The planes weren’t thoroughly cleaned before being reused in the reserves in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. One C-123 that was finally retired to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force was decontaminated by contractors in the 1990s before going on display inside a hangar. Rickenbacker Air Force Base in Columbus was one of the sites that flew C-123s for medical and other missions, and a growing group of former reservists has been asking the VA for recognition for health conditions that couldC-123 Vets Could Win Changes On Agent Orange Exposure Soonhttp://wyso.org/post/c-123-vets-could-win-changes-agent-orange-exposure-soon
62446 as http://wyso.orgThu, 26 Feb 2015 19:34:45 +0000C-123 Vets Could Win Changes On Agent Orange Exposure SoonJerry KenneyThe Dayton Development Coalition and the Ohio Federal-Military Jobs Commission (OFMJC) held a forum at Wright State University’s Nutter Center on Thursday to discuss federal job retention and expansion in the state. Governor Kasich signed the commission into law in 2014 to make Ohio more competitive in job growth by leveraging the state’s military assets like Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Retired Col. Robert Decker is one of nine commissioners appointed by the Governor. He says Thursday's meeting was one of a series of forums taking place around the state. “We’re looking at regions all over the state trying to get input as to what they need, what we can help with, what the state strategy can be to help all of the regions,” he said. Miami Valley business leaders in healthcare, manufacturing, aviation and other fields participated in today’s meeting Among the concerns they raised was a possible Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) affecting missions at Wright-Patt and other stateState Commission To Develop Strategy For Retaining, Growing Federal Defense Jobs, Contractshttp://wyso.org/post/state-commission-develop-strategy-retaining-growing-federal-defense-jobs-contracts
61218 as http://wyso.orgFri, 30 Jan 2015 15:35:00 +0000State Commission To Develop Strategy For Retaining, Growing Federal Defense Jobs, ContractsAssociated PressOhio's largest U.S military base has lost the competition to become the site of a new installation and mission support center that could result in hundreds of jobs for the host base. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base was one of four final candidates for the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Headquarters. Air Force officials said in a statement Wednesday that Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas was selected as the site of the new center. The other bases competing were Joint Base-Langley-Eustis in Virginia and Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. The Air Force says it chose the Texas base after analyzing operational considerations, installation attributes and economic and environmental factors at all four sites. The Air Force evaluated 10 bases before selecting the final four candidates. Air Force Support Center Not Coming to Wright-Patthttp://wyso.org/post/air-force-support-center-not-coming-wright-patt
60884 as http://wyso.orgThu, 22 Jan 2015 12:04:44 +0000Air Force Support Center Not Coming to Wright-PattJerry KenneyThe statewide unemployment rate in Ohio, as of November, was about 5 percent, but for Veterans that number stands at almost 7 percent. With those figures in mind, the Ohio Military Veterans Resource Center is holding a job fair for veterans Wednesday at Wright-Patt. More than 40 “military-friendly employers” will be on hand to help Vets and their families find jobs. Abby Reynolds with the resource center says Vets have additional challenges entering the civilian job market. "The structure and the culture is different so translating their skills and experiences to a civilian employer is one of the major barriers," Reynolds said. This is the second annual job fair the veteran's organization has held. In a statement released Tuesday, MVRC Executive Director Len Proper said, "Companies across industries are attending and will be looking for qualified veterans to fill immediate openings." Proper added that, "Last year, over 200 military job seekers attended. Many received interviewJob Fair Takes Aim At High Veteran Unemployment Ratehttp://wyso.org/post/job-fair-takes-aim-high-veteran-unemployment-rate
60510 as http://wyso.orgWed, 14 Jan 2015 12:24:28 +0000Job Fair Takes Aim At High Veteran Unemployment RateJerry KenneyThe non-profit Dayton History is taking over management of the National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) Learning Center, which is located at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The 14,500 square foot Learning Center features interactive displays that teach kids about the history of flight and Dayton’s connection to that history. Dayton History President and CEO Brady Kress says partnering with the non-profit NAHF gives Dayton History a bigger profile. “We see [...] just under two hundred thousand annual visitors," he said. "With 1.3 million people walking by our door, it’s going to be a tremendous boost for telling those Dayton stories.” Dayton History already manages Carillon Historical Park, Hawthorn Hill, the Paul Laurence Dunbar House, and Patterson Homestead. Starting in January, the non-profit will focus first on finessing daily operations, then long term projects to increase the visibility of the learning center. Congressman Mike Turner of Ohio’s 10th district was on handDayton History To Manage National Aviation Hall Of Fame Learning Centerhttp://wyso.org/post/dayton-history-manage-national-aviation-hall-fame-learning-center
58959 as http://wyso.orgTue, 09 Dec 2014 00:48:22 +0000Dayton History To Manage National Aviation Hall Of Fame Learning CenterAssociated PressDAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Construction on a new building at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force near Dayton will force temporary closure of the museum's Missile and Space Gallery. The museum says the gallery will be closed for about five months beginning Dec. 8. Some exterior wall panels of the gallery are being removed to form new entrances for the new building. The museum's fourth building is scheduled to open to the public in spring 2016. It will be the new home of the museum's presidential aircraft, research and development, space and global reach exhibits. Some missile and space exhibits including the Apollo 15 command module will still be accessible during the closure, and the museum also offers a virtual, 3-D tour. Missile And Space Gallery To Close During Air Force Museum Constructionhttp://wyso.org/post/missile-and-space-gallery-close-during-air-force-museum-construction
58356 as http://wyso.orgMon, 24 Nov 2014 14:44:09 +0000Missile And Space Gallery To Close During Air Force Museum ConstructionLewis WallaceThe city of Dayton and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base have announced plans for the 20th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords, the agreement signed in Dayton on November 21, 1995 that ended the war in Bosnia, Herzegovina and Croatia and established Bosnia and Herzegovina’s current constitution. City Commissioner Matt Joseph says it was hard for a lot of people on the ground at the time to believe the war would really end with these accords, and the fact that it worked was almost a surprise. “I mean, you think of any one of a number of conflicts going on right now, if we had negotiators here in Dayton right now talking about how to stop it dead in its tracks, and then having it work, you can imagine what kind of achievement that would be,” Joseph said. Next year’s 20th anniversary will be commemorated with a two-day policy conference and a series of celebrations including a black tie gala. Leading up to the event, organizers will hold a logo-design contest for students in Dayton andPlans Announced For Dayton Peace Accords 20th Anniversaryhttp://wyso.org/post/plans-announced-dayton-peace-accords-20th-anniversary
58259 as http://wyso.orgFri, 21 Nov 2014 17:32:10 +0000Plans Announced For Dayton Peace Accords 20th AnniversaryAssociated Press Officials say a group of airmen in southwest Ohio who dropped supplies in West Africa to help with the Ebola outbreak no longer have to report their medical condition with authorities. The Dayton Daily News reports the six reservists at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton had to check their temperatures twice a day and report their health conditions to medical authorities twice a week for 21 days after returning from West Africa. A base spokeswoman says none of the reservists showed any symptoms of the virus. The members of the 445th Airlift Wing had dropped a four-wheeled crane in Monrovia, Liberia on Oct. 19 and were on the ground there for about three hours. They returned Oct. 26 after bringing cargo back from Afghanistan. WPAFB Crew No Longer Monitored For Ebolahttp://wyso.org/post/wpafb-crew-no-longer-monitored-ebola
57827 as http://wyso.orgTue, 11 Nov 2014 22:52:56 +0000WPAFB Crew No Longer Monitored For EbolaAriel Van CleaveThe STEM subjects--science, technology, engineering and math--are becoming more important these days. Programs like Wright-Patt’s Starbase push for a hands-on approach to STEM. Middle schoolers Alex Maney and Zack Gillman are staring into a digital microscope examining the building blocks of a strawberry. “It looks like a dragon, kind of, if you look at it at the right angle,” Maney said. “Like a bird,” Gillman said. The two were part of a larger group of students taking part in a STEM event Friday morning. The kids used an extraction solution made up of salt, soap and water, and rubbing alcohol to separate the DNA from a mashed-up strawberry. Starbase Instructor Natalie Livingston says this lesson is an important one. It makes genes and chromosomes more concrete. “I think what they like the most is seeing it under the microscope. So they actually get a chance to see that DNA under there. The actual DNA that forms at the top of their beakers actually looks like white snot. So they’reEvent Highlights STEM Skills For Studentshttp://wyso.org/post/event-highlights-stem-skills-students
57664 as http://wyso.orgMon, 10 Nov 2014 11:04:00 +0000Event Highlights STEM Skills For StudentsJerry Kenney Lawmakers from Ohio and Texas are assessing how Wright-Patterson Air Force Base has done since a 2008 Base Realignment and Closure, or BRAC. Congressman Mike Turner of Ohio’s 10thdistrict and Congressman John Carter from Texas spent about four hours Monday touring Wright-Patt facilities. Carter is Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations. His visit to Wright-Patt was in part to look at results of the 2008 BRAC that brought a $230 million investment in military construction at the base. It also brought more than 1,000 new jobs to the area. “I will tell you what you’re doing is premiere and outstanding, and they’re doing great work in various areas," he said. Turner says another round of BRAC is on the way, possibly as early as 2017, and he hopes it will be good for Wright-Patt—maybe consolidating more operations here. “As you look at Wright-Patt," the congressman said, "we certainly hope the Department of Defense would follow congressman Carter’s analysis ofLawmakers Assess WPAFB Progress After 2008 BRAChttp://wyso.org/post/lawmakers-assess-wpafb-progress-after-2008-brac
55257 as http://wyso.orgMon, 08 Sep 2014 22:38:25 +0000Lawmakers Assess WPAFB Progress After 2008 BRAC